Reintegration Awards Recognize Service to People With Mental Illness

CHICAGO, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixteen people will be honored with prestigious Reintegration Awards for their outstanding efforts to improve the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses during the 42nd National Council Mental Health and Addictions Conference, April 15-17, in Chicago. The awards also celebrate the achievements of people living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who have overcome a multitude of obstacles to improve their lives and the lives of their peers.

"These awards are a testament to the dedication of the professionals, friends, family members and consumer leaders who help those struggling with mental illness, particularly in providing tools and supports that promote recovery," said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council). "These remarkable stories of recovery also prove that a mental illness, like a physical illness, is real, common and treatable."

An estimated one in five Americans ages 18 and older suffers from a diagnosable mental illness every year. The World Health Organization has reported that four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. and other developed countries are mental disorders.

An independent panel of mental health leaders chose the award winners. Donations, supported by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), ranging between $5,000 and $10,000 are made to the organization of each winner's choice. 

"The awards recognize the triumphs of people living with, prevailing over, and recovering from serious mental illnesses,' said Robert Baker, MD, global development leader for psychiatry and pain disorders at Lilly. "The honorees have demonstrated how one person can make a positive difference in the lives of so many." 

The following honorees of the 2012 Reintegration Awards are being recognized at an awards ceremony on April 16 as part of the National Council Conference in Chicago:

ACHIEVEMENT (INDIVIDUAL)

1st Prize: Kevin Cleare, New York, NY

Kevin's transformation from an incarcerated person battling mental illness to a professional clinician is an inspiring example of perseverance. After earning his GED in prison, he took special training to become a talented advocate for people with serious mental illness in the criminal justice system.

2nd Prize: Jessica Lynn Gimeno, Evanston, IL

ADVOCACY (TREATMENT TEAM)

1st Prize: Fresh A.I.R (Artists in Recovery) Gallery, Columbus, OH

The A.I.R. gallery challenges the stigma around mental illness by promoting high quality artwork by artists affected by psychiatric disorders. Nearly 200 artists, with work displayed in 44 exhibits, have sold 196 pieces of work and made more than $45,000 since the gallery opened in 2004.

2nd Prize: "Voices of Recovery," Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services, Glen Allen, VA

ARTISTIC CONTRIBUTION (INDIVIDUAL)

1st Prize: Sharon Denise Wise, Washington, DC

A national speaker and trainer, Sharon has trained more than 2,000 people and authored 10 children's books about a dog with bipolar disorder. Her work as a certified Community Emergency Responder assures that persons with mental illness are safe.

2nd Prize: Jan Kobe, Kansas City, KS

CLINICAL MEDICINE (TREATMENT TEAM)

1st Prize: Trilogy's Integrated Healthcare Program, Chicago, IL

The community-based mental health organization is being recognized for its service to its clients under two SAMHSA grants, including a $200,000 health information technology grant in 2011 to support of the development of infrastructure to expand the use of electronic health records.

2nd Prize: Asa G Yancey Health Center, Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA

EMPLOYMENT (TREATMENT TEAM)

1st Prize: Cafe 54, Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ

The innovative bistro is part of a non-profit organization and an award-winning training and employment support program serving individuals recovering from mental illness. Its art scholarship fund provides individuals recovering from mental illness the opportunity to express themselves through the creative arts.

2nd Prize: Recovery Resources' Employment Services, Cleveland, OH

HOUSING (TREATMENT TEAM)

1st Prize: Boley Centers, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL

Boley Centers provides more than 1,000 units of affordable housing to the homeless, people disabled by mental illness and substance abuse problems, and people of low income. The housing enriches the lives of people in recovery and allows them to live with the utmost of dignity.

2nd Prize: Janian Health Care, Center for Urban Community Services, New York, NY

MENTORSHIP (INDIVIDUAL)

1st Prize: Dr. Tammy Navarro, Houston, TX

Dr. Navarro operates a private practice helping people with schizophrenia and their families. She has been consistently honored for her work and has received the Self-Help Award of the Year by Yolo County Mental Health Association, and the Above & Beyond award from Schizophrenics Anonymous.

2nd Prize: Bill MacPhee, Magpie Media, Ontario, Canada

SOCIAL SUPPORT (TREATMENT TEAM)

1st Prize: Compeer of Greater Buffalo, Older Adult Services, Buffalo, NY

Using the power of volunteer friends and mentors, Compeer improves the lives of children, adults and seniors who are striving for good mental health. In 2011, Erie County recognized the benefits of Compeer's work for mentally ill older adults by increasing its budget by 100 percent.

2nd Prize: Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals (BRIDGES), Chicago, IL

P-LLY

About the Reintegration Awards
Since 1997, the Reintegration Awards, supported by Eli Lilly and Company, have celebrated the achievements of those in the community who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses, and the achievements of those living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who battle tremendous odds to improve their own lives and the lives of their peers. In 2012, the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is proud to partner with Lilly to offer the Reintegration Awards.

About the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,950 community healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addiction disorders to nearly 6 million adults, children and families in communities across the country.

About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers — through medicines and information — for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com; Lilly's clinical trial registry is available at www.lillytrials.com.

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company